This statement strongly calls into question the progress in negotiations that Trump claims to have made.
"Fake news"
The Chinese government returned Trump's favorite phrase by labeling him "fake news", after the latter suggested that talks were underway between the two countries to end the tariff war he himself started.
"Actively negotiating"
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jaikun described as "fake news" Trump's repeated statements that the US president would be "actively negotiating" trade issues.
Two representatives
Trump even said, in response to questions from reporters, that two representatives had met to begin discussions.
Negotiations... or not?
However, according to ABC News, he has refused to reveal the identity of the participants in these alleged negotiations, while China continues to claim that Trump is telling lies.
On several occasions
Later, in an interview with The Times, Donald Trump maintained that discussions were underway between China and the U.S., going so far as to claim that President Xi had personally called him on several occasions to raise the issue.
No consultation
On the Chinese side, the authorities deny that they are "actively negotiating" with the United States, asserting that no consultations or negotiations on the tariff issue are underway.
Who's lying?
This statement by the Chinese authorities therefore casts considerable doubt on the progress in negotiations that Trump claims to have made, while China outright accuses him of lying on important points in connection with these alleged negotiations.